King Center no longer stuck in concrete

Foreclosure lien against organization dropped after $11,000 payment

A foreclosure lien against the King Center has been dismissed after the Atlanta-based non-profit forced a third-party contractor to cough up $11,000 for unpaid concrete.

Last month, Thomas Concrete filed suit against the King Center demanding a $9,296 payment for 10 loads of concrete delivered to the King Center to make repairs and upgrades prior to the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.

Thomas Concrete technically sold the materials to Cisse Contracting, who did the work on behalf of the King Center.

The King Center was ultimately responsible for the concrete, although it had already paid Cisse Contracting – who had not paid Thomas Concrete.

Bonita Smith, a consultant for the King Center, said they immediately demanded Cisse Contracting deliver them a check, so that they could make sure Thomas Concrete got it.

“It looked like the King Center did not take care of business and we wanted to make sure that we fixed the narrative that was out there,” Smith said. “We wanted to make sure the grounds were looking great for the 50th anniversary. But we want to also make sure that people get paid for the work they do.”

Bill Kidd, an attorney for Thomas Concrete, said his company entered a contract with Cisse to provide 62 cubic yards of concrete for $12,546 in July 2017.

The King family, including all of the siblings, rang a bell 39 times to mark the age at which their father was killed in 1968. They gathered at the refurbished King Center to mark the 50th anniversary.

Photo: � 2018 Cox Media Group.

According to his original lawsuit Cisse Contracting made a partial payment of $3,250 leaving a balance of $9,296.

The ultimate $11,000 payment included interest and a cushion for attorney fees.

Kidd said slow payments and liens are common practices in building and supplies, adding that the King Center acted quickly to resolve it.

“We are quite satisfied and have already dismissed the lien foreclosure action,” Kidd said. “This was routine, and the only difference was this was a landmark, high-profile Atlanta business. But these things happen. It ended up being a win-win for everybody.”